Yesterday

 Cat Herders Day

Cats on a Pendleton Throw: photo by Cliff Hutson

Yesterday was Cat Herders Day; but what the dedication represents may not be what you think. So, if you missed it, click here.

Yesterday is also a song.

Just a Cat Photograph

Animal Companion

Mini: photo by Cliff Hutson

Perhaps One More

The Shadow: photo by Cliff Hutson

National STEM/STEAM Day

November 8 is a day meant to inspire kids to explore and pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. 

#STEMSTEAMDay

Reading Log: May 2021

 The books I finished reading in May 2021:

May 2021 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Past the Post," A.J. Stewart

"Of Mutts and Men," Spencer Quinn

"A Cat's Tale: A Journey Through Feline History," Baba the Cat as dictated to Paul Koudounaris

 

"Project Hail Mary," Andy Weir

"Chasing Darkness," Robert Crais

Cat Herders’ Day

Celebrate Cat Herders’ Day - December 15

A Cat and a Hat: photo by Cliff Hutson

The idiom that something that is hard to do, is “like herding cats” is a popular saying. Most frequently it probably refers to project management (been there, done that), but can apply to any difficult or impossible task.

I have herded cats both figuratively and literally. If you consider yourself a cat-herder then this day is dedicated to you and your so-called “cats”. Be proud of your cat-herding skills because we have always played a vital role in doing what needs to be done.

GLOBAL CAT DAY & More Seafood

Global Cat Day

Cat Crossing: photo by Cliff Hutson

October 16 is Global Cat Day which recognizes the need to adopt and foster cats. There have been two official Hutson family cats - the late great Pumpkin (זצ״ל) and Mini, the patch cat. Both were rescues.

Pumpkin and Mini: photo by Cliff Hutson

My neighbor does not actually adopt feral cats, but she practices Trap-Neuter-Return which benefits both the individual cat and the environment.

Wall Cat: photo by Cliff Hutson

Global Cat Day is also known as Feral Cat Day. Either way, it is a good day to reflect on how to help our furry neighbors. 

Neighborhood Cat: photo by Cliff Hutson

Seafood

Lobster Tacos: photo by Cliff Hutson

My daughter and I met for dinner, this past Monday, at La Grande Orange Cafe in Pasadena, which led to a very fortunate National Seafood Month encounter. 

One of that night's specials was Lobster Tacos. Our server highly recommended this entree, but we were a bit leery - imagining some chopped up "lobster" in a taco shell. However, we both ordered it and were blown away by the dish. 

I guess that one could call it a deconstructed taco as what was placed before us was an actual lobster tail, with marvelous tortillas on the side. (Sadly, in my excitement, I neglected to include a tortilla in this photo.) Thus we I had to build my own tacos and enjoy one of the best meals that I ever had. 

February 2017 Reading

The books I finished reading in the month of February 2017

February 2107 Reading: photo by Cliff Hutson

The month of February was a very slow month for me when it came to reading, only three books. And, fairly thin ones at that. The fault lies within myself as I became addicted to watching "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" on Netflix. Viewing all three seasons took up much of my time.

Perhaps the most interesting of the books was "Island of the Blue Dolphins," by Scott O’Dell. It is a children's novel, and, indeed, it was recommended to me by students from Sycamore Elementary School when I was leading a Native Partners program at the botanic garden. The book had come up from time to time in previous years, but these kids were very insistent once I admitted to not having read it. (I have a good excuse though. When I was in forth grade, it had not yet been written.) Presumptively based on a true story, it tells the story of a young California Indian girl stranded alone for years on one of the Channel Islands. While quite entertaining, I feel that much of it has to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt. However, I am glad that I read it as it may help me put some of the concepts we teach in to a better context for children who have also read it.

Frankly speaking, “Breaking Cat News,” by Georgia Dunn is a bit a cheat as I read it last year. But, in need of some good humor, I picked it up again. Anyone who has any appreciation for cats should love reading about cats reporting on the news that matters to cats. I also read the comic on a daily basis.

“How to See: Visual Adventures in a World God Never Made,” by George Nelson disappointed me a bit. Nelson tells us that - "Einstein has been reported as saying that it is not possible to make an observation unless the observer has a theory to bring to bear on what he is looking at." So, I assumed that this book might give one the tools with which "visual literacy" may be enhanced. It did not do that for me. That could be because I am too much a technician (whose skills are primarily verbal) to pick up what was going on. Or, alternatively, perhaps I am an accomplished enough of a photographer that I already have an intuitive grasp on visual reading. Obviously, a book that has held its own for forty years must have some merit. I intend to give it another go in a few months to see if my view of it can be altered.

Another thing that remains to be seen is if March holds less binge watching and more reading for me.

NOTE: March 8 is National Proofreading Day. Did you find any errors in this post?

#NationalProofreadingDay

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Days of the Cat

Mini and Pumpkin: photo by Cliff Hutson

This week has two days involving cats. National Feral Cat Day is observed annually on October 16. And, October 17 was the twelfth anniversary of a cat, who became known as Pumpkin, walking up our driveway while my wife was gardening in the front flowerbeds, and convincing her that he should live with us.

Feral Cats

Feral Cat: photo by Cliff Hutson

A feral cat is a cat that has been born to a stray or another feral cat and is unaccustomed to interacting with humans. They may be so afraid of people that they are unable to be handled, let alone adopted.

Many people object to feral cats as they can create problems by urinating, defecating, digging in yards and gardens. I did not really mind them  jumping on my car, but some people can see why others take umbrage at the paw prints.  The feral cats can also be upsetting to owned cats. But, perhaps the main problem is that, left to their own devices, they will reproduce like the proverbial rabbits. Since a female cat can become pregnant as early as five months of age, the number of feral cats in a neighborhood can rapidly increase if cats aren't spayed or neutered. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is a solution to this problem. 

TNR is a program through which feral cats are humanely trapped; sterilized and medically treated. The tip of one ear surgically removed - a "tipped" ear is the universally-recognized sign of a cat who has been spayed or neutered. The cat will then be returned to the location where they were found. Those cats found suffering with terminal or untreatable illnesses or injuries are euthanized. 

My next door neighbor participates in TNR. She feeds them after their return, so they tend to stick around and form a colony. Her cats like to hang out on our adjoining wall, and in my drive. (They also liked to sleep on the hood of my car. I don’t think that they have fully forgiven me for switching to a SUV which is too tall for them to reach.) Many people on the block assume that they are mine. This enhances my reputation as "that strange old man".

Actually, only two cats, Pumpkin and Mini, live with me. Both were stays.

Stray Cats

Pumpkin: photo by Cliff Hutson

A stray cat is a pet who has been lost or abandoned, is used to contact with people and is tame enough to be adopted.

Pumpkin had a collar, but no tags nor ID. Our first thought was to find his owners by putting up posters. We took him in to the IVHS to see if he was chipped - he was not; or if anyone would inquire about him - no one did. So, he came to live with us. We thought we were really clever naming an orange cat "Pumpkin". (Especially in the month of October.) But, it seems we were not the first. "Pumpkin" is fortieth on the list of 100 popular cat names.

Mini: photo by Cliff Hutson

We adopted Mini not quite a year later. She came from a cat rescue group that had found her in a vacant house. Picking a name for her was more difficult. It seems that during the first week it changed on a daily basis, if not hourly. She was very tiny, being only about five months, and it looked like she would always be small. So, I hit up on "Mini", after the car, and it stuck. 

Cats make great companions in the right household. My cats and I have what could be called a strong bond. Both got along well with our dogs, too. The only downside for me is that they never encourage me to go for a walk, and I have gotten a little lazier as a result. 

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The Patch Cat

A type of black-and-white bicolor cat, the "patch cat" is also nicknamed "cow cat" or "moo cat". A patch cat does not have the solid black "jacket" of the tuxedo cat. Instead, it has big black patches over a mostly white body, often with a black mask over the head.  This color pattern gives them a resemblance to the Holstein, (or Frisian) cow, and is the most likely derivation of the name.

These cats are not a specific breed and are named for their coat pattern. Some say that the color of a cat determines its personality. One source posits that patch cats are thought to have the following characteristics: "a love of water, big personalities and a playful nature.”  Another states that "the black and white colored cat tends to be affectionate and lively".

I am going to suggest that this is going to pretty much depend on the particular cat in question. The pattern can show up in many breeds of cats. Behavior is probably more associated with breed. Then each cat is going to have its own distinct personality, just like with people.

Our veterinarian calls Mini a domestic shorthaired (DSH), as she (Mini not the vet) is a cat of mixed ancestry. Mini will occasionally dabble in water, but has never shown what I would call a love for it. She is affectionate, and was quite animated in her youth. 

One of her favorite tricks was to perch in a high place and jump on me when I passed by so that she perch on my shoulder like a pirate's parrot. Thus life imitated the art of the Non Sequitur comic strip wherein Captain Eddie's cat, Paulie,  rides along with him. While this was not a problem when I was wearing a heavy shirt, it could be quite painful foe me. I am glad that she has outgrown this habit.

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May 2016 Reading

The books I finished reading in May 2016

May 2016 Reading: photo by Cliff Hutson

October 2015 Reading List

The books I finished reading in October 20015

photo by Cliff Hutson

Cats and Health

I read in Spry Magazine that owning a cat has a real benefit to my health. Cat owners are 40% less likely to of a heart attack and 30% less likely to die of stroke, heart failure, or cardiovascular disease.

The blurb said that one reason maybe that interacting with cats reduces anxiety and stress. However, I find that cat ownership certainly has its own set of demands. As the joke goes - "Cats, e.g. Pumpkin (pictured) and Mini, are alarm clocks that need to be fed."

Having a dog like my Holly, of course, encourages many people to get more exercise through taking walks, playing fetch, and the like. However, Spry maintains that pets, even fish, are associated with better health in their owners.

The Cute Cat Theory of Digital Activism

From ETech to Where 2.0: Disaster Tech and Activist Mapping - O'Reilly Radar

Part of my interest in the internet and blogging is they way that they can be used to reach people for a variety of reasons. I blog, mostly, for the fun of it, but I fascinated by the concept of public journalism.

A story from the Center for Social Media had this to say about public media: “Over at the O’Reilly Radar site, Where 2.0 conference chair Brady Forest reports on an interesting principle that Ethan Zuckerman of Global Voices is proposing, called the “cute cat theory of activism.” Basically, the more people who use a platform to post content about their charming pets, the less likely it is to be shut down. So if you like public media, start snapping those LOLcats shots!”

The basic theory is that ‘every time you force a government to block a web 2.0 site - cutting off people’s access to cute cats - you spend political capital’. The job of online advocates is to raise that cost of censorship as high as possible.

If I am about anything, I am about cute cats. So if any body needs to borrow some photos, you can find them here and here.